Diamond jewelry, such as engagement rings, has been a wedding symbol for years. Not only that, but they also continue to look beautiful on anyone’s hands. That’s why diamonds have always been a popular choice for engagement rings.
Choosing your engagement ring is a personal choice. But you’ll love the ring even more if it looks great on you. There are many things to know about diamond engagement rings, and each of these affects how they look on you. Each engagement ring setting, for instance, looks best on different hands.
There are lots of engagement rings for women available in the market. Make sure you’re not settling for the first engagement ring you see in a store. There are no rules that say you have to go with a certain 3-carat diamond ring. But here are some guidelines that can help you get started with your search.
1. Consider Lab Grown Diamonds
You have the freedom to choose which engagement ring style you want to wear. But if you’re not sure what you want to buy, go for traditional diamonds. They’re a timeless classic, and you can never go wrong with diamonds.
These days, you can find lab grown diamond engagement rings from online as well. They are just as genuine and have the same splendor as natural diamonds. Their difference is so little that no one will notice the diamonds are not those that came from the mines.
Plus, you can get them for a lesser price. That means you can have that 3-carat diamond ring that you’ve always dreamed of without breaking the bank.
You might want to be sure a store carries lab grown diamonds if you have your heart set on one. Retailers of these diamond engagement rings sell more up-to-date, cutting-edge, and contemporary designs. That’s why they’re becoming increasingly popular among engaged young couples.
2. Choose an Engagement Ring Setting
Diamonds are eternal. That’s why your engagement ring needs a long-lasting setting. The mounting of your engagement ring influences how it looks on you. That’s why it’s important to know the different kinds of engagement ring settings.
- Prong Setting and Solitaire Setting. This type offers you a timeless and classic look. If you want a higher diamond’s brilliance, this one’s for you. It’s also the best choice for princess-cut diamonds, which makes the stone the center of attention.
- Antique or Vintage Setting. This engagement ring setting exudes charm and personality. If you want a unique and intricate engagement ring, this is the best option for you.
- Halo Setting. A center diamond with a lower carat weight appears larger in these engagement rings. A halo of colored diamonds can help create contrast. This engagement ring is for you if you want that extra shine from the surrounding stones.
- Three-Stone Setting. This setting makes the most of the diamond’s brilliance and glimmer. This allows for a larger gemstone surface area than would be possible with a single setting. This band is for you if you want an engagement ring that can carry several larger stones.
- Pave Setting. This setting is known for its side stones, which emphasize the main stone. Choose this setting if you want a modern or vintage design with a central stone that is lower-set or less sparkling and adds more sparkle.
3. Learn the 4C’s
One thing to know is that a lab grown diamond engagement ring is high quality by looking at its four Cs. The GIA developed these international standards to evaluate a diamond’s quality. High-quality lab grown diamonds have the same rating scale as natural diamonds.
- A diamond’s color is graded based on how many colors they have on them. It ranges from D to Z, with the former being colorless and the latter having more color to it (usually yellow). Diamonds under grade D are rarer and more expensive than those under grade Z., But these days, more and more people prefer colored diamonds.
- How well a diamond releases its light depends on the quality of its cut. An excellent cut has the most brilliance, and a poor cut has the least.
- The clarity of lab grown diamonds depends on their lack of flaws and imperfections. This ranges from Included having the least clarity and Flawless having the most. And, as you can imagine, flawless diamonds are rarer and more expensive than those with poor clarity.
- Carat Weight. This type of “C” refers to the actual weight of the diamond. A 3-carat diamond ring has the heaviest diamond, while 0.25 carat is the lightest. But this does not mean that 3-carat diamonds are larger than those with lesser carats. You can find large diamonds that only weigh 2 carats, which is ideal.
Knowing these features will help you cut your engagement ring options. Make sure you know their differences and what makes a good diamond choice before buying one. Put these features in order of importance and focus on the engagement rings that will suit you.
4. Select a Metal Band for Your Engagement Ring
The metal that an engagement ring band is made of affects how the ring appears as a whole. Here are some important details that you need to know about these metals:
- Gold is the most popular and traditional metal for wedding bands and engagement rings. This metal has a wide range of applications, including white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold.
- Platinum displays the brightness and brilliance of diamonds. This is your best choice if you and your fiance have an active lifestyle. It is hypoallergenic, so you won’t have to worry if you have sensitive skin. Platinum is non-tarnish, so there’s no need for replating.
Choosing the right metal band depends on different factors. One of these includes the type of diamond jewelry you wear. If you prefer silver-toned jewelry, platinum or white gold are your best options. For warmer colors, yellow gold or rose gold are great selections.
5. Pick a Suitable Diamond Shape
One of the things to consider before buying a diamond engagement ring is its shape. The ideal cut boils down to your personal preference. But it also helps to know if the shapes of lab grown diamonds really suit you or not. Here are some of the most popular diamond engagement ring shapes:
- Emerald-cut diamonds are best for a minimalist look because they are elegant and refined. If you have wider fingers, this is the best diamond shape. They will create the illusion that you have longer and slimmer fingers.
- Heart-shaped diamonds are a universal symbol of love. If you’re the romantic type, then choose this diamond shape. They work best if you have short or slim fingers.
- Princess-cut diamonds have a brilliant style of cutting as opposed to standard emerald cut step arrangements. And they have larger tables than round cut ones, making them look bigger. This also works if you have wider fingers.
- Round-cut diamonds are the most popular diamond engagement ring shape. If you’re not sure what to buy, consider this diamond shape. They are attractive to anyone who tries to wear them.
6. Determine Your Ring Size
Even if you find the right engagement ring setting and diamond shape, it won’t matter if the ring doesn’t fit you and your partner. That’s why you need to determine both of your ring sizes before you go buy one.
Make sure your engagement rings are the same size as the rings you often wear. But if you’re not used to wearing rings, there are other ways to determine your ring size. Or you can ask the jeweler and get the right measurement with an engagement ring size chart.
7. Specify Your Budget
For an engagement ring, the majority of American couples plan to spend between $1,000 and $5,000. In fact, the average price for engagement rings is $5,500. The worst mistake you can make is basing how much you spend on an engagement ring on your income. No matter what the cost, only spend what you can afford.
The rarity of natural diamonds contributes to their high cost. If you are on a budget, lab grown diamonds are for you. Compared to natural diamonds, lab grown ones are less expensive. That is, they can cost up to 50% less than natural diamonds of the same grade.
Final Thoughts
The engagement ring is a symbol of your undying commitment to one another. And yes, it should be more than a symbol and something you are proud to wear daily.
But it’s a long process to find the right kind of engagement ring for you and your partner. Hopefully, this guide walked you through this process and helped you look for the right ring. If you have the means and desire to make your partner proud, it’s worth the time and effort to find the perfect ring.
